Finally my turn :)

[Chancy 6,243]

On 11/11/2021 at 1:14 PM, Chancy said:

Now waiting on my CFO counselor if we need another call...

 

Update:  I didn't need a 2nd session!  My CFO counselor sent the payment link after she got my visa scan.  Got my CFO certificate minutes after paying online with my credit card.  Yay!

 

Even with my CFO success, let me reiterate for other Filipinas who plan to marry abroad and pursue a spouse visa -- do NOT follow my example of neglecting to file ROM.  The counselor repeatedly asked about my missing ROM, and our 30-minute call ended with a cliffhanger because of that.  This is yet another cause of stress that I could have avoided if I had just done my homework.

 

Anyway, I already booked my flight for this weekend.  Next episode -- COVID testing...

 

[Redro 4,611]

12 hours ago, Chancy said:

 

Update:  I didn't need a 2nd session!  My CFO counselor sent the payment link after she got my visa scan.  Got my CFO certificate minutes after paying online with my credit card.  Yay!

 

Even with my CFO success, let me reiterate for other Filipinas who plan to marry abroad and pursue a spouse visa -- do NOT follow my example of neglecting to file ROM.  The counselor repeatedly asked about my missing ROM, and our 30-minute call ended with a cliffhanger because of that.  This is yet another cause of stress that I could have avoided if I had just done my homework.

 

Anyway, I already booked my flight for this weekend.  Next episode -- COVID testing...

 

@Chancy you're a prolific poster but you don't have your timeline filled out!!!

When did you first file that I-130? Inquiring minds want to know.

Congrats on your visa. Hope your COVID test is quick and painless and safe flight to the States~ 

[Chancy 6,243]

On 11/16/2021 at 8:41 PM, Chancy said:

Next episode -- COVID testing...

 

Update:  My COVID test result was negative, as expected.  JAL let me board the plane and I'm now home in Louisiana

 

Before I left, I was not fully vaccinated, so I had to go for COVID testing the day before my flight.  I was ok with the service of the accredited testing facility I went to, but I had a minor scare with the test result sheet.  CDC requires the result to list some specific info, but mine did not have the "date the sample was taken" clearly labeled.  It only had "Result date".  So I attached my registration sheet and official receipt, hoping that the "Registration date" and test date on those documents would be acceptable.  The JAL staff at NAIA did question me about the missing date, but decided after consultation with a supervisor that the dates on the registration sheet were good enough.  Whew!

 

For those wondering where to go for rapid antigen test in Metro Manila, I recommend going to PADLAB near NAIA.  I have no personal experience with that facility, but the passengers immediately ahead of me at the JAL check-in line had test results from there.  They were not questioned about test dates like I was, so I suppose PADLAB clearly labels all the CDC-required info on their COVID test result sheet.

 

On another note, the JAL staff I first talked to was not aware that immigrant visa holders are exempted from the vaccination requirement, like USCs and LPRs are.  I was not worried though, as I was familiar with the CDC rules and I brought a print-out of the relevant exemption from the CDC website.  Also, the JAL staff were very friendly -- they just politely asked for a few minutes to consult with a supervisor about my vaccination and test results, then all was well.

 

My POE was at DFW airport.  I was not asked about my COVID vaccination nor test result.  Actually, I was not asked about anything at all!  (I'll write a POE review with more details.)

 

[Adventine 3,201]

Welcome, Chancy!!!

[Chancy 6,243]

On 11/17/2021 at 9:24 AM, Kor2USA said:

@Chancy you're a prolific poster but you don't have your timeline filled out!!!

When did you first file that I-130? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

Haha!  I was asked about that before.  I did start filling out my timeline months ago but got too depressed to complete it because of how long our process was taking, compared to the other PH forum regulars who filed their I-130 months after we did.  Now that my visa process is finally done, seeing that it took around 550 days isn't as depressing as it was when we were still waiting for NOA2.

 

Anyway, feel free to check out my now-completed timeline.  Ours is an example of how bad luck can stretch the process, even for such a straightforward case.  We had no RFEs at any point, and there were no questions about our bona fides, as we had spent several months together in the US before filing a petition (I visited multiple times using my B1/B2 visa).

 

[millefleur 5,047]

35 minutes ago, Chancy said:

On another note, the JAL staff I first talked to was not aware that immigrant visa holders are exempted from the vaccination requirement, like USCs and LPRs are.  I was not worried though, as I was familiar with the CDC rules and I brought a print-out of the relevant exemption from the CDC website.

Great idea! Always best to be prepared like that.

 

 

[Just Paul 4,595]

Congrats !!!!